U.S. patent number 3,753,557 [Application Number 05/177,636] was granted by the patent office on 1973-08-21 for support for leg during knee surgery.
Invention is credited to Edward Thomas Kelley.
United States Patent |
3,753,557 |
Kelley |
August 21, 1973 |
SUPPORT FOR LEG DURING KNEE SURGERY
Abstract
A device, including a base, adapted to be adjustably and
removably secured on a horizontally disposed operating table. An
upwardly inclined support will support the leg bent at an angle,
preferably less than 45.degree. at the knee, with the knee elevated
and both the upper and lower legs in a substantially vertical plane
and free from obstruction to clear visibility, and access to the
lateral sides of the knee, and also free from obstruction to
lateral movement of the leg. The support is also adjustable as to
height and to the angle at which the leg may be bent and supported,
and to a position in which the leg is supported with the foot
elevated to operating level for foot and ankle surgery.
Inventors: |
Kelley; Edward Thomas (San
Francisco, CA) |
Family
ID: |
22649356 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/177,636 |
Filed: |
September 3, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
5/648; 5/624;
297/423.45; 297/423.46; 297/423.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
13/12 (20130101); A61H 1/0292 (20130101); A61G
13/0063 (20161101); A61G 13/1245 (20130101); A61H
2203/045 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61H
1/02 (20060101); A61G 13/00 (20060101); A61G
13/12 (20060101); A61g 013/00 (); A61g
007/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;269/328,322,324
;5/327R,327B ;297/439 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Whitehead; Harold D.
Claims
I claim:
1. A device for supporting the leg of a person during surgery
thereon, comprising:
a. a rigid, horizontally elongated member adapted to be supported
horizontally on an operating table or the like,
b. securing means for releasably securing said member horizontally
on said table stationary relative thereto;
c. a rigid, elongated upright extending upwardly from one end of
said member and attaching means for securing the lower end of said
upright to one end of said member;
d. a rigid, elongated, lower leg suport inclined downwardly from
the upper end of said upright to the other end of said member for
supporting thereon the lower portion of the bent leg of said person
with the knee over the juncture between the upper ends of said
upright and said lower leg support when said person is lying flat
on said operating table with the rear side of the thigh against
said upright and when said horizontal member is supported on said
table;
e. upper connecting means and lower connecting means respectively
securing together the upper ends of said upright and lower leg
support, and securing the lower end of said leg support to said
other end of said member for holding said lower leg support and
said upright at an angle of approximately 45.degree. relative to
each other;
f. said securing means including a pair of horizontally spaced,
horizontally elongated base elements extending transversely of said
member below opposite end portions of the latter, secured thereto,
and table engaging devices on the ends of said base elements for
releasably holding said base elements stationary on said table;
g. said member being at one of the ends of said base elements for
positioning said member, said upright and said lower leg support
having one side of said table when said base elements are on the
table extending transversely thereacross, and the portions of said
base elements extending from said member to the opposite ends of
said base elements being free for supporting the unbent other leg
of the patient in a position extending horizontally across said
portions;
h. vertical pivot means connecting said base elements to said
elongated member for swinging said base members to positions
extending to either side of said elongated member at one side or
the other of such table according to which leg is being operated
upon.
2. A device for supporting the leg of a person during surgery
thereon, comprising:
a. a rigid, horizontally elongated member adapted to be supported
horizontally on an operating table or the like;
b. securing means for releasably securing said member horizontally
on said table stationary relative thereto;
c. a rigid, elongated upright extending upwardly from one end of
said member and attaching means for securing the lower end of said
upright to one end of said member;
d. a rigid, elongated, lower leg support inclined downwardly from
the upper end of said upright to the other end of said member for
supporting thereon the lower portion of the bent leg of said person
with the knee over the juncture between the upper ends of said
upright and said lower leg support when said person is lying flat
on said operating table with the rear side of the thigh against
said upright and when said horizontal member is supported on said
table;
e. upper connecting means and lower connecting means respectively
securing together the upper ends of said upright and lower leg
support, and securing the lower end of said leg support to said
other end of said member for holding said lower leg support and
said upright at an angle of approximately 45.degree. relative to
each other;
f. said upper connecting means comprising a hinge pivotally
connecting said lower leg support with said upright for swinging
said lower leg support upwardly about said hinge to an elevated
generally horizontally extending position spaced above said
member;
g. said lower connecting means including a pin for releasably
connecting said lower end of said lower leg support with said other
end of said horizontally elongated member, said pin being movable
from a releasing position to a connecting position; and
h. means for supporting said lower leg support in said elevated
position;
i. said last mentioned means comprising a rigid post pivotally
connected at one of its ends to said lower leg support adjacent to
said lower end of the latter for swinging of said post downwardly
to a vertically extending position extending between said lower end
of said leg support and the other end of said member when said pin
is moved to said releasing position releasing said lower leg
support and the latter is moved to said elevated position; and
j. means on the end of said post opposite to its pivotal connection
with said lower leg support engageable by said pin upon movement of
said pin from said releasing position to said connecting position
for connecting the lower end of said post with said other end of
said member;
k. said lower connecting means comprising a hinge having parts
respectively carried by said lower end of said lower leg support
and by said other end of said member, said parts being connected by
said pin;
l. said lower attaching means comprising a hinge whereby said
member is pivotally connected at its said one end and its said
other end with the lower end of said upright and with the lower end
of said lower leg support respectively; and
m. a rigid brace pivotally connected at one of its ends with said
post at a point intermediate its ends for swinging to a position
extending between said point and a second point intermediate the
ends of said member when said lower leg support is in said elevated
position supported by said post; and
n. means on said member for securing said brace to said member at
said second point for supporting said upright, post, and leg
support rigid when the lower leg of said person is supported
generally horizontally on said leg support.
3. A device for supporting the leg of a person lying horizontally
on a horizontal operating table during surgery on the knee of such
leg, comprising:
a. a rigid, horizontally elongated base member adapted to be
supported horizontally on one end of said table, said member being
of a width for supporting only one leg thereon with the other leg
horizontally on such table alongside said member in side-by-side
relation thereto;
b. a rigid, elongated upright extending upwardly from one end of
said member;
c. a rigid, elongated, lower leg support inclined downwardly from
the upper end of said upright to the other end of said member for
supporting thereon the lower portion of the bent leg of said person
with the knee over the juncture between the upper ends of said
upright and said lower leg support when said person is lying flat
on said operating table with the rear side of the thigh against
said upright and when said horizontal member is supported on said
table;
d. a first hinge means pivotally connecting the upper ends of said
upright and lower leg support together, and a second hinge means
pivotally connecting the lower end of said upright and said one end
said member together, and a third hinge means connecting the lower
end of said lower leg support to said other end of said member;
e. said first, second and third hinge means connecting said base
member for supporting said upright extending generally vertically
upwardly with the knee joint at and over the juncture between said
upright and said lower leg support;
f. said horizontal base member including means for supporting said
second and third hinge means for horizontal movement to different
positions apart horizontally and means for releasably securing them
in each of said different positions, and said upright including
means for supporting said first and said second hinge means for
vertical movement to different distances apart and means for
releasably securing them in each of said last mentioned different
positions, whereby the height of said juncture between said upright
and said lower leg support may be varied to support legs of
different lengths at their knee joints, and whereby the angle
between said upright and lower leg support at said first hinge
means may be varied.
Description
SUMMARY
Heretofore in knee surgery, a nurse or assistant holds the lower
leg at the desired angle during the operation. Many times such
operations are lengthy and the position of the knee changes due to
the fatigue of the nurse. Also the surgeon is handicapped by not
being able to clearly view the site of the operation, or to adapt
himself to the best position for performing the operation.
Frequently it has been necessary to repeat operations due to one of
the above causes.
One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a
leg suport that is adapted to support one leg of a person lying on
the back with upper leg, or femur, extending upwardly and the knee
bent so the angle between the upper leg, and the lower leg, or
tibia, will be as small as possible in most instances, usually
allowing the thigh to fall toward the abdomen. In this last
position the side or the inferior distal or lower portion at the
knee (toward the foot) is accessible, and there must be no
obstruction to ready access to the knee and, the lower leg in many
instances should be supported in a manner permitting its
manipulation.
Another object of the invention is the provision of a leg support
for supporting the knee elevated and the leg bent at the knee,
which suport includes means for supporting the bent leg on an
operating table adjacent to one side or the other while the other
leg is straight and supported on the table, and which support is
free from obstruction to full access to opposite sides for the
performance of surgery on the knee.
An additional object is the provision of a leg support for
supporting the upright leg of a patient lying on an operating
table, with the knee bent for surgery, and which support is
adjustable for legs of different lengths, and for supporting the
leg bent at different angles, and also for supporting the leg with
the foot elevated at operating height when ankle or foot surgery is
required. Other objects and advantages will appear in the
description and drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the leg support on an
operating table in a position for supporting the leg of a person on
the table with the leg upright and bent at the knee for knee
surgery, said leg being indicated in broken lines, and broken lines
also indicate an adjusted position of the support for foot or ankle
surgery. The means for removably securing the device on the table
are omitted for clarity.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the support of FIG. 1, the securing
means for securing the support on a table being shown.
FIG. 3 is a greatly reduced front end view of the support of FIGS.
1, 2 secured on an operating table.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view along line 4--4 of
FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view at line 5--5 of FIG.
4.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary part cross-sectional enlarged perspective
view of a portion of the support of FIG. 1 generally as seen from
line 6--6 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged part sectional part elevational view along
line 7--7 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view at line 8--8 of FIG.
2.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Basically, the device comprises a pair of horizontally disposed
base members generally designated 1 (FIG. 2) that are adated to be
positioned cross-wise on an operating table.
A horizontally elongated element generally designated 2 (FIG. 1) is
supported on members 2 at its ends, and extends at a right angle to
said members 2.
An elongated upright 3 is secured at its lower end to one end
portion of element 2, and an elongated leg support 4 is secured at
one end to the upper end of upright 3 is downwardly inclined to
connect at its opposite lower end with the end of the element 2
that is opposite to the lower end of upright 3.
The angle between the upright 3 and the support 4 may be varied, as
will later be explained, but in FIG. 1 it is shown as approximately
35.degree..
The upper leg of a patient is indicated at 5 (FIG. 1) and the lower
leg at 6 while the body 7 of the patient is lying on the table 8
that also supports the device (FIG. 3).
The buttocks 9 (FIG. 1) of the patient will be substantially
against the lower end of upright 3 and the angle between the upper
and lower leg will be approximately that of the angle between the
element 2 and upright 3. The foot 9' of the patient will rest
against the inclined support 4.
Cords 10 connected with the ends of the base member 1 (FIGS. 2, 3)
may extend below the table 8 and are releasably tied together to
firmly secure the device on the operating table at any point along
the table without injury to the latter. The base members are sturdy
relatively wide strips of rigid material and extend the width of
the table to provide a stable support for the device.
Upright 3 comprises an upper strip 13 of approximately the same
width as the element 2 and a hinge 14 pivotally connects the upper
end of the strip 13 with the upper end of the inclined support
4.
The opposite longitudinally extending edges of upright 3 may be
grooved at 15 (FIGS. 1, 5) to slidably receive the inturned flanges
16 (FIG. 5) on the sides of a channel strip 17. The lower end of
channel strip 17 is pivotally connected by a hinge 18 with one end
of a corresponding channel strip 19 (FIG. 1).
Said element 2 comprises an elongated member 20 substantially
corresponding to strip 13. Grooves 20' formed in opposite edges of
member 20 slidably receive the inturned flanges on the sides of
channel strip 19.
A clamping screw generally designated 21 (FIGS. 1, 4, 5) has a
relatively large manually graspable head 22, and a threaded shank
on said head extends through a slot 23 (FIG. 4) in the web of
channel strip 17 and into a clamping member 24 (FIG. 5) held in
strip 13 for releasably clamping strip 13 to channel strip 17 at
different degrees of vertical extension of strip 13 relative to
channel strip 19.
At the end of the member 20 opposite to the channel 19 is strip 27
that substantially corresponds to channel strip 19 and which
channel strip 27 has inturned flanges 28 (FIG. 6) slidable within
grooves 20'. Said grooves 20' extend the full length of the member
20. The channel strip 27 is hingedly connected to the lower end of
the inclined support 4 by a hinge 29.
The channel strips 19, 27 are each adjustably secured to the
elongated element 2 in the same manner, hence a detailed
description of the strip 27 will apply to both.
The web of each channel strip 19, 27 overlies the upper side of
member 20, and said web is formed with an elongated slot 30
centrally thereof extending longitudinally of strip 20. A screw
generally designated 31 (FIGS. 6, 7) extends through slot 30 into a
cylindrical clamping piece 32 having a circular flange 33 at its
lower end. The piece 32 extends into a hollow cylindrical pivot
member 34 that has a circular flange 35 at its upper end. The
member 33 and the piece 34 are in circular aligned openings in one
of the end portions of the base members 1,20 and the flanges on
their ends are respectively positioned within counterbored ends of
said openings so that tightening the screw 31 extending through
each slot 30 will not only clamp the channel strips 19, 27 to the
member 20 in adjusted positioned of said channel strips, but will
tighten the ends of the base members 1 against the member 20.
Flange 33 is in a counter bore in member 20.
By this adjustment, the angle between the upright 3 and the leg
support 4 may be varied, irrespective of the height adjustment of
the upper strip 13 of the upright provided by channel strip 17.
The heads 36 of screws 31 correspond to the head of screw 21 being
manually tightened and loosened and extending over the marginal
portions of slots 30.
By removal of the tie cords 10, from one of the ends of the base
members 1, the base members may be swung about the clamping pivot
34 through 180.degree. so that the leg support may be positioned at
the right or left hand side of the operating table 8. The screws
may then be tightened.
The leg support 4 is provided with a cross piece 39 that is
adjacent the upper end of said support to provide a support for the
portion of the leg at about the calf during lateral manipulation or
movement of the leg relative to the support.
Each of the tie cords 10 may be provided with a flanged ferrule 40
swaged onto one end (FIG. 8) for engaging the upper sides of the
base members upon tightening the cords or ropes to secure the
members 1 on the table 8. Obviously a single cord could extend
through the openings in the end of each base member, if desired,
with the ends tied below the bed in the same manner, with a section
of the rope extending across the upper side of the table. In such
instance said section would extend over the channel strips 19, 27
or past the outwardly facing ends of the member 20.
The upper end of the upper strip 13 of the upright 3 and the upper
end of the inclined leg support 4 may have arcuate elements 41, 42
secured thereon, one over the other in slidable engagement to
provide a rounded surface at the inner side of the knee, both for
covering the hinge 14 and terminal adjacent ends of the strip 13
and support 4, and for the comfort of the patient.
From the foregoing description it is seen that the height of the
upright 3 may be readily adjusted, and the angle between the
upright 3 and support 4 may be adjusted. The leg will be firmly
supported in any of the adjusted positions.
In some instances ankle or foot surgery as well as knee surgery may
be required, in which case an elongated prop or support 43 of the
same width as the leg support 4 is pivotally connected at one end
to the underside of the latter by a hinge 44 positioned adjacent to
the lower end of the inclined support.
The hinge pin 45 connecting the leaves of the hinge 29 is axially
removable to disconnect the central portion 46 of hinge from the
end portions 47, and the support 4 is swung to the elevated
horizontal position 48 indicated in dot dash lines. The end of the
prop, support or post 43 opposite to hinge 44 carries hinge section
48 that corresponds to said portion 46, and this is connected by
hinge pin 45 to end portions 47.
A brace 50 horizontally connected to the prop or support 43 at 51
carries a hinge section 52 at its end opposite to the hinge 51 that
includes a removable hinge pin 53. This section 52 is connectable
with hinge elements 54 on a central channel strip 55 that is
adjustable on member 20 in the same manner as the channel strip 17,
having a clamping member corresponding to member 24 (FIG. 5) and a
clamping screw 56 corresponding to screw 21.
When the prop or post 43 is moved to the broken line position 57
and brace 50 is swung to the broken line position 58 the leg
support 4 in its elevated position enables the foot to be supported
at the same height as the knee.
The hinge 14 is also shown with a removable hinge pin, so that the
device may be disassembled and assembled for convenience and
storage, and the pivots connecting the base members 1 with the
horizontal element 2 enable the members 1 to be swung to positions
parallel with the element 2.
* * * * *